Obit: Mellenthin, Herman (1887 - 1926)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Mellenthin, Mellenthine, Chamberland, Rue, Holmes, Andries, Schwantes, Groth, Stochek, Drews, Kautza, Struck, Pierel, Hoops, Turner, Brandt, Brockmann, Natzke, Schroeder, Glaman, Voelker, Heal, Krause, Ewald, Keil, Wegner

----Source: unknown newspaper, May 1926

Mellenthin, Herman (4 July 1887 - 19 May 1926)

Just as we are ready to go to press we received word that Mr. Herman Mellenthin was killed accidentally while blasting stumps near his home. As Herman failed to appear for dinner Mrs. Mellenthin sent some of the children to call him and from reports Mr. Mellenthin was blown beyond recognition. Herman has lived near Spencer all his life and the *** This portion of the article was cut off and was not available at the time of transcription.

A tragic death claimed the life of Herman Mellenthin on Wednesday, May 19th while blasting stumps on his farm south of Spencer. There being no eye-witness to the fatal accident, it is assumed that a charge of pyrotol prematurely exploded in the hands of Mr. Mellenthin while he was preparing it or in the act of placing the charge under the stump. The direct or specific cause of the explosion will remain a matter of conjecture. Doubtless death was instantaneous. The funeral was held on Friday, May 21. Trinity Lutheran church was far too small to receive the huge throng that came to sympathize and give humor to the memory of a man well-liked and esteemed. Internment took place in the Spencer cemetery. The pall-bearers were: Albert Chamberland, Charles Rue, Earl Holmes, John Andries, Harry Schwantes, and Charles Groth. The names of the ladies carrying flowers are: Mrs. Joe Stochek, Mrs. A. Chamberland, Mrs. J. Andries, Mrs. H. Drews, Mrs. Theodora Kautza, Mrs. Charles Groth, Mrs. G. Struck and Miss Ira Pierel.

Out-of-town attendants at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hoops and Mrs. Edward Turner of Moon, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Brandt, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Brockmann, Mrs. Barney Natzke and daughter, Louella, and Mrs. Herman Schroeder of Wayside, Mr. and Mrs. G. Natzke, Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Natzke and son Norbert of Oconomowoc, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Natzke, Mr. Herman Natzke and his two sons, Arthur and Elmer, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Natzke of Merrill, Mrs. Fred Schroeder, Mrs. Edward Glaman, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Voelker, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Heal of Marshfield.

Herman Mellenthin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mellenthin Sr. was born on July 4th, 1887 in the town of Brighton, Marathon county, Wisconsin. His entire life was spent in this community. On the 20th of March 1912 he was joined in marriage to Miss Sabina Hoops. Four children were born to them. Their names are Bernice, Lucille, Norbert, and Marcella. These four children, the widow and the parents, four brothers, Albert, Frank Jr., Otto and Arthur all of whom reside in the vicinity of Spencer, and four sisters survive the deceased. Their names are Mrs. F. W. Schwantes, Mrs. Herman Krause, Mrs. Wm. Ewald, all of Spencer and Mrs. Walter Keil of Milwaukee, Wis.

The deceased was rigidly honest, sober and dependable; he loved work and was happy in its reward. In providing for his family he was zealous and faithful. In his habits fixed, in disposition congenial, though not very talkative, rather retiring. To his church he was loyal, devoted and true. Surely, not only the stricken family left behind, but also the neighborhood in which he lived for the past number of years will miss him. To the mourners, particularly to the widow and children we extend our cordial sympathy and trust that genuine Christian fortitude shall mark the pathway of their journey onward and homeward.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to take this opportunity to thank all the neighbors, friends and relatives who so willingly assisted us during the death and burial of our dear husband and father. We also thank all the flower girls and pall bearers, all those sending flowers and donating cars. Especially do we want to thank Rev. Wegner for his comforting words.

Mrs. Herman Mellenthin and children